Sheriff lay down the law to Westport

Sheriff lay down the law to Westport


ROUND 7
Sheriff YC 4
K Dunne 13, 35, 46, 78

Westport Utd 1
M Geraghty 28

Daniel Carey
Fairview

BECHER’S Brook is the sixth fence in the Aintree Grand National, but Westport United met their own Becher’s Brook at the seventh hurdle in the FAI Junior Cup last Sunday. Facing Sheriff YC on their own patch is the beautiful game’s equivalent of a six foot nine inch drop, and the Covies were outclassed in the last 16 by an outstanding team who are seeking to win the competition for the third year in succession.
Keith Dunne notched up four goals for the Dublin side on the astroturf at Clontarf Road, Fairview, and the AUL outfit are clearly very comfortable on the artificial surface. Though Westport felt aggrieved about the clinching third goal, they could not argue that the laurels did not rest where they deserved. Sheriff created more than twice as many clear-cut scoring chances as their opponents, who never found the form that had seen them win on the road against St Peter’s (Athlone) and Trim Celtic.
In a setting overlooked by the DART line, Sheriff went about their business at high speed. In the sixth minute, John Rock headed over having gone to the near post to meet Darren Dunne’s corner. Westport’s Martin Geraghty got an important touch to end another attack, and Joe Lawless made two interceptions, but the home side made the breakthrough after 13 minutes. Dunne dug out a fine shot from out on the right, and it flew into the top left corner of the net, silencing the large Mayo contingent who had made the journey.
John Lester went close to doubling Sheriff’s lead, but his free kick came off the crossbar after curling around the wall. Westport’s first opportunity came after 19 minutes, but Dave Cameron headed just wide after attacking Philip Keegan’s cross at pace. Stephen Larkin and SeΡn Murphy had half-chances for Sheriff, while JP O’Gorman volleyed wide from a half-cleared header was followed by an optimistic shout of ‘Come on United, ye have them!’
But in the 28th minute, the equaliser came. All afternoon, Westport looked at their most dangerous from set-pieces, and that’s how their only goal arrived. Cameron was fouled on the right wing, and Colm Keane’s perfect delivery was met with a trademark header by Martin ‘Lovejoy’ Geraghty.
One-one, but that was as good as it got. Rock’s shot on the turn went past the post, but Keith Dunne made it two ten minutes before half time, firing home after taking a pass from Darren Dunne. Westport put the ball in the net again before the break, but referee David Jameson had already whistled for an infringement for a corner kick.
It was 2-1 at the break, and almost 3-1 within 45 seconds of the restart, but Westport goalkeeper Gary Cunningham advanced quickly off his line to deny Stephen Larkin. Geraghty, Shaun Tagg and Danny Scahill all had significant cameos, but United struggled to make any inroads up front despite enjoying a spell of decent possession.
When the game’s fourth goal arrived, it was for Sheriff. From a disputed free kick, Darren Dunne’s delivery was half cleared, but then headed back into the penalty area by Darren O’Brien. Westport were adamant that Keith Dunne was ‘well offside’ when he clinched his hat-trick, but there was no flag and that was essentially game, set and match.
Keegan, Geraghty and Pat Fitzgerald went close soon after but it was clear that Westport were fighting a losing battle. Dunne got his fourth (and easiest) goal of the day came from inside the six-yard box as he converted a Kevin Lynch cross. There was still for a defender’s finish from Lester at one end, a decent hit from distance by Westport sub Vinny O’Malley at the other, and an attempt for a fifth by Dunne which Cunningham kept out. A day to forget.

SHERIFF YC
A O’Neill, P Murphy, J O’Neill, D Brown, J Lester, D O’Brien, S Larkin, D Dunne, K Dunne, J Rock, S Murphy.
Subs used: A McCabe for J Rock; S Murphy for D O’Brien; K Lynch for S Larkin.

WESTPORT UTD
G Cunningham, S Tagg, C Keane, M Geraghty, J Lawless, D Cameron, P Fitzgerald, D Scahill, D Hoban, JP O’Gorman, P Keegan.
Subs used: V O’Malley for D Scahill; G McLoughlin for JP O’Gorman; J Fallon for D Hoban.

Referee: D Jameson (Wicklow)